:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/65542608/1182722552.jpg.0.jpg)
An advert on a post from influencer marketing app Tribe, has caused embarrassment at Manchester City, the club being quick to distance themselves from the marketing ploy.
The ad appeared with the apparent intent of recruiting social media influencers to boost the appeal of City’s three home 2019 Champions League group games.
Pep Guardiola has often complained about atmosphere, or lack of it at City’s home matches in the competition, but City are frustrated by the advert, which is believed to have been created without the club’s knowledge, according to BBC Football.
City’s home games in the competition are against Dinamo Zagreb, Shaktor Donetsk and Atalanta, and the ad said, “core fans are less likely to attend” as City face “three relatively unknown” group opponents.
49,308 watched Tuesday’s 5-1 victory over Atalanta, just under 4,000 less than capacity.
It appears City did not commission the company which posted the ad on Tribe.
Aimed at 18-55 year-old males, the ad read, “The Champions League draw this year has given us three relatively unknown teams meaning our core fans are less likely to attend.
”We want to get across the great atmosphere of the Etihad through the use of influencers who can tell an authentic and genuine story of what it’s like to be at a game.”
Applicants were then asked to submit “a mock shot” that creates a fear of missing out for those watching matches on TV.